Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-08-31

between rub6le masOnery and dry-StOne packing,
former OF which 1t has been found necessary 70
use.
MORE MONEY NEEDED FOR THE TUNNEL.
The total estimated cost OF the tunnel now sub
mitted is 81, 1S1, ,5S2.55. The amount already ap-
propriated is $999, ,53455, making an additional
mate, but Major Lydecker urges that the amount
or $4,000 be appropriated in order that he may
be prepared for unseen emergencies, and therefore
avoid any further delay In completing the work.
The completion OF the tunnel involves the least
amount OF lining compatible with security. but 1t
60 rurt6er and arch all the rest Of the tunnel
bloc blocked d., by fan Of rock, To 40
tion to the estimate submitted He is of the opin-
Ion that in consideration OF the great Importance
S hs to
| the appropriation to $500 900. When the water
supply Is finally passed into the tunnel he says,
any accident that might call for a recurrence to
the present inadequate system would cause
serious trouble, and he therefore thinks that it
may be well TO let the tunnel MI with water when
the money now available is exhausted and pump
II out after the near appropriation becomes avail
lie Work fh es6 of the
pendent upon 1t tor its water supply.
"At the same time, " he says, 81 cannot urge too
strongly an appropriation, at the earliest possible
date OF the fun amount now estimated as neces-
sary for completing and realizing the advantages
o1ng cd sns great WORK which affects 50 closely the
this district" The progress made BY the con-
THE REsrRvo1R
during the year, Major Lydecker says, has been
| slow and entirely unsatisfactory, the working
| force having been too small as a rule and the
plant insufficient and in poor condition During
the year 10, ,lS6 cubic yards were excavated and
the dam thereby practically completed; the inter-
cepting conduitS completed; the slope paving
on the west and north extended over Length
| OF 1894 feet and e42 feet OF road cutters
aas0 ans toe lSr 0E9a 1Es wd4s
exhausted early In the year. but the additional ap
preparation OF 100000 provided by the general
continuance OF the work, and the contract has
been extended to october 81, 1887, at which time
1t Is believed che contractors will have completed
what Is required Of them
MONEY ENOUGH FOR THE RESERVOIR BUT NONE FOR
THE GROUNDS.
| After this is done, the construction of
| the gate house, with its distributing con-
| duits on the bed OF the reservoir, and its
connection with the aff1uent 75-inch main win put
the reservoir In condition to receive the water SUD-
ply. This can all be accomplished with the pres
ent appropriation during the current fiscal year
and before completion OF the tunnel. 1t does not
appear that any additional appropriation will be
required for completing the essential features OF
work, Major Lydecker says, but 1t Is likely that
up The grounds about the reservoir. No appropri-
alton for the purpose is asked but 1t may be made
the subject OF special communication at a later
date. The balance available for continuing ana
completing this work at the close OF the fscal
year was SIG 10, the total appropriations
the main Connections during the Year uonV was AZ
the calking OF the 75-inch outlet main from the
new reservoir. The original appropriation Was
which VIII probably suf1ce to complete this part
| OF the work by making proper connection with
the gate-hOuSe when built.
IN RELATION TO THE WASHINGTON AoUEDUCT,
Major Lydecker reports that the outflow or water
frOu
during the twenty-four hours ending at 6 a. m.
June 25, 1887, was 26S7S 4a4 gallons being
335, ,94S gallons more than the outfiOw about the
same time In the preceding year. The water
supply as 1t passed The efuent gate-house OF the
distributing reservoir was clear On 256 DAYS
slightly turoid 80 and very turbld 80; an improve.
which clear water passed the ef1uent on only l47
days The water level at the inlet to the aQueduct
feet TO minimum OF OF feet above the crest Of
the dam. This is the first In long series OF years
that the waterlevel has not fallen below the crest
OF the DAM the natural result of its extension and
completion to the Virginia shore. The average
water pressure for the year in the supply mains at
| the crossing OF Rock Greek was Los pounds per
square inch, the maximum being 35 pounds and
the minimum 2S5 pounds. The average pressure
during 1885 was 32.o4 pounds. The amount re-
Qutred for engineering, maintenance and repairs
OF the aqueduct for the year ending June 80, S9,
Is 1000.
NECESSARY IMPROVEMENTS TO SECURE PURE WATER.
This. as shown by long experience Major
Lydecker says. is only sufficient for the annual
maintenance and current repairs, but in order to
insure the water supply against any danger Of
pollution and to allay the fears OF the community
In that respect, he thinks 1t is highly desirable
that means should be provided for making certain
improvements at Great Falls and receiving reser-
voir. These Improvements provide for intercept
ing and diverting streams and surface drainage
which now enter the receiving reservoir, Tor
dredging the reservoir and for rprapping its
banks and also tO acquire and fence In few small
tracts OF land in the vicinity Of the reservoir and
Of ho ofulof pff no or ph 10
are now occupied by private parties, in such a
way TO give rise TO Iears concerning the purity
OF supply The cost OF the work viii be $l2o,OOO
tonal estimate Of that amount be submitted by
| the War Department to Congress as an item OF
the sundry civil BILL